From left: Mitch Kapustinsky (Langley), Ashley Sutton (Langley), Ingo Holst (Surrey) and Shane Rochon (Abbotsford) rehearse a scene from the Langley Players season-opening production That Darn Plot. It opens at the Langley Playhouse on Oct. 24 and runs until Nov. 23. Showtimes are each Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees.

From left: Mitch Kapustinsky (Langley), Ashley Sutton (Langley), Ingo Holst (Surrey) and Shane Rochon (Abbotsford) rehearse a scene from the Langley Players season-opening production That Darn Plot. It opens at the Langley Playhouse on Oct. 24 and runs until Nov. 23. Showtimes are each Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees.

That darn plot thickens

Langley Players open their 2013-14 season with Canadian comedy about the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing a play

The set has been built, painted and decorated, the play analyzed and the characters developed.

The actors are well-rehearsed, the costumes produced, the soundscape created, the lighting designed, the posters printed and distributed, the programs prepared, the front-of-house volunteers signed up and the theatre is ready.

Now all the Langley Players need is an audience to come and see their play season-opening play — That Darn Plot.  The play was written by Canadian playwright, David Belke and is being directed by Marko Hohlbein.

Hohlbein won best director at the Community Theatre Coalition Awards (CTC) in 2012 for Mending Fences, a play he directed for Surrey Little Theatre. Belke lives in Edmonton and his first full length play was produced for the 1990 Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, the largest theatre festival in North America.

Playwright Mark W. Transom has a single night in which to create a new play.

As the hours stretch on, the play starts taking on a life of its own.

Or is it his life? And why does his estranged son keep popping into the plot? This play gives audiences a fascinating look into Belke’s writing process as well as a behind-the-scenes look into the rehearsals in the greenroom.

“I love witty well-written Canadian plays and That Darn Plot is not only funny, but also takes a look at a man who has trouble connecting with the ones he loves.

“And that’s what makes for a great play and great entertainment,” said Hohlbein.

Starring Maple Ridge’s Brian Johnston as Mark Transom, That Darn Plot runs Thursdays to Sundays from Oct. 24 to Nov. 23 at the Langley Playhouse, 4307 200 St. in Brookswood.

Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. All tickets are $15. For reservations, please call 604-534-7469, or email reservations@langleyplayers.com.

Visit www.langleyplayers.com for more information.

Langley Times